TSU enters 2011 season with a lot of uncertainty

Updated 2:06 am, Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Running back Marcus Wright led TSU in rushing last season with 1,212 yards.

Running back Marcus Wright led TSU in rushing last season with 1,212 yards.

Photo: Bob Levey, Freelance

TSU enters 2011 season with a lot of uncertainty

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Under typical circumstances, Texas Southern would be entering the 2011 season with heightened expectations after winning last season's Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. But the Tigers' offseason was anything but typical.

Coach Johnnie Cole was terminated in April in advance of an NCAA report that is expected to detail major violations. Defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey was named interim head coach, and he subsequently fired four assistants. The program also was stripped of roughly 15 scholarships for the 2011-12 academic year after posting a poor performance on the NCAA's Academic Progress Report.

Thus, TSU heads into the season uncertain that it'll be able to keep its SWAC title or build on its breakout 2010. The Tigers are still talented, especially on defense and in the running game, but a lack of depth and experience at key spots could prove to be their undoing.

Story lines

Can Ramsey excel as both defensive coordinator and head coach?

Ramsey received a lot of praise last season after leading the Tigers to the Football Championship Subdivision's top-ranked defense, but he's staring down a more difficult task in 2011. Ramsey probably needs a successful season to persuade TSU athletic director Charles McClelland to remove the interim tag; anything less could push the top brass in another direction.

Can TSU develop an above-average quarterback?

The Tigers haven't had the best play at quarterback during the last several seasons, somehow managing to survive in 2010 with Arvell Nelson doing an admirable job in the second half. It'll be up to either Dantavious Parker or Harry Brown to lead the way in 2011.

The senior has 1,758 career yards, which places him ninth on the school's all-time rushing list and 1,177 yards shy of passing Thomas Sieh's record of 2,934. Wright rushed for 1,212 yards in 12 games last season, so he has a legitimate shot at snapping Sieh's record.

Circle your calendar

Sept. 10 vs. Prairie View A&M

The Labor Day Classic is scheduled a week later than usual, but its significance remains unchanged. The winner will be off to a 1-0 start in SWAC play; the loser could suffer an early knockout punch in the race for the Western Division title.

Sept. 29 at Jackson State

The Tigers encounter their first test on the road, and it's a big one. Jackson State is ineligible to compete in this season's SWAC championship game, but it will surely try to put a major dent in TSU's hopes.

More Information

About the Tigers

Coach: Kevin Ramsey (NR; first season).

Last year's record/finish: 9-3, 8-1 (first in SWAC Western Division).

Returning players: 36.

Returning starters: 9 (Five offense, four defense).

All-conference candidates: RB Marcus Wright rushed for 1,212 yards (second-most in SWAC) and eight touchdowns in 2010. WR Joe Anderson led the Tigers in receiving last season with 818 yards, a number that looks impressive because of uneven play at quarterback. DB Zach Gallow led the Tigers in interceptions (five) and pass break-ups (10). DE Marquis Jackson finished third in sacks (8.0) and second in tackles for loss (18.0).

Schedule

Sept. 10 vs. Prairie View 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 vs. Texas College 6 p.m.

Sept. 24 vs. Alcorn 1 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Jackson State 5 p.m.

Oct. 8 vs. Alabama State 1 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Alabama A&M 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 22 vs. Central State 2 p.m.

Oct. 29 at Mississippi Valley 2 p.m.

Nov. 5 vs. Southern 6 p.m.

Nov. 12 at Grambling 8 p.m.

Nov. 19 vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 12 at Grambling State

The path to the Western Division title almost always goes through Grambling State. TSU beat Grambling State en route to winning the 2010 title and likely will have to do so again to repeat.

Outlook

This squad is talented but comes into the season with too many question marks. Will the offensive line hold up? Will the quarterback play be sufficient? Can the defense replicate its dominant form from the 2010 season? How will the allegations of NCAA violations affect the players' psyche? Against this backdrop, it might be too much to expect TSU will pick up where it left off last season.

Bold prediction

The Tigers will beat Prairie View for their first win in the series since 2006, helping to improve Kevin Ramsey's chances of being named permanent head coach after this season.